The Use of Genetic Engineering John Jordan| Felicia Cain Dziadek| Texas A&M University Corpus Christi

Genetic Engineering The cure or curse of mankind?

In order for humanity to advance in the field of genetic engineering to its fullest capacity, there is a need to lose the misguided ideas and fear of modifying genes for the advancement of mankind. There are many diseases that are a source of affliction which can removed and changed effectively to eliminate debilitating and deadly diseases that plague the human race. The possibilities for genetic engineering include cancer, AIDS, cystic fibrosis, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer's diseases, Lou Gehrig's disease, cardiovascular disease and arthritis. In cases such as these diseases result from a mutation in a single gene. According to Peltonen and McKusick mutations in an individual gene are both required and sufficient to cause a disease (2001). With genetic engineering we can remove and change these genes to effectively eliminate these debilitating and deadly diseases and conditions.

The significance of genetic engineering

• Genetic engineering is the opportunity to prevent diseases and save the human race. We can do this by manipulating genes through gene therapy.

• This is one example of how gene therapy is beneficial by curing blindness.

• https://youtu.be/OA-TNhgYwpc?t=1m40s (“Can Gene” 2014)

Arguments For Genetic Engineering

• Since genetic engineering is such a controversial topic people either seem to be for it or against it.

• Those who are for genetic engineering argue that it has the ability to cure and prevent diseases thus bettering the human race. It can literally be life and death to some people.

• Some also argue that it can better the quality of life for people. If a mother goes in for genetic testing while pregnant and realizes her child will be born with Lou Gehrig's disease she could have the baby genetically engineered to correct the associated genes. This process would better her child’s life and he or she would never have to suffer the debilitating disease.

The “Magic Bullet”

• The major claim of gene therapy is considered by some to be a “magic bullet” (Samiy 2014).

• This term refers to the most precise treatment of a medical condition. While there have been setbacks, gene therapy, also known as genetic engineering, has had major breakthroughs due to how it works (Samiy 2014).

• The reasoning behind genetic engineering being a “magic bullet” is how it works. By isolating genes and manipulating them or deleting them scientists have the ability to cure diseases.

Evidence For Genetic Engineering

• According to Samiy, “gene therapy is fundamental for it’s centered on disease etiology at the DNA level” (2014).

• Samiy states that “as of June 2012, there have been over 1800 gene therapy clinical trials. These have taken place over 31 countries and covered a variety of medical conditions” (2014). Samiy does not, however, state the success rate of these trials.

• A study done in 2000 was done on patients with the X-linked form of SCID. Two of the patients developed T-cell leukemia due to insertional mutagenesis. As of 2012 8 of the 9 patients from one branch of the trial have been noted as alive and well (Samiy 2014).

Not Everyone is on Board, Though

• Not everyone agrees with the concept of genetic engineering. In fact there are many people who do not.

• There are two major claims as to why people are against genetic engineering.

• The first claim is the “fluid genome” which is an idea that emerged in the 1970s. The concept is that an organism must engage in genetic modification which is a precise event of RNA and DNA responding to “downstream” biological functions (Ho 2013).

• The second major claim is that genetic modification is dangerous to both animal’s as well as human’s health. One of the main reasons against genetic engineering is that artificial genetic modification fundamentally impedes or interferes with the natural, fluid process. “In addition, the artificial GM constructs are invasive and contain hazardous elements that can take over the natural mechanisms for transfer into cells” (Ho 2013).

Evidence Against Genetic Engineering

• Prior to popular human experimentation scientists began genetically modifying foods and animal feed. Numerous studies have been done on the effects of genetically modified food and animal feed showing low birth rates, stunted postnatal growth, illnesses, as well as death (Ho, Cummins, and Saunders 2007). Genetic modification results in significantly altered genes from their original counterparts. For example MON863, a genetically modified strain of maize, contains DNA from 9 separate sources (Ho, Cummins, and Saunders 2007).

Evidence Against Genetic Engineering

• Ho, Cummins, and Saunders created a table listing various studies and findings related to genetically modified food and animal feed. Among this list one example states that, “In 2003, villagers in the south of the Philippines suffered mysterious illnesses when a Monsanto Bt maize hybrid containing Cry1 Ab protein came into flower, antibodies to the Cry1 Ab protein were found in the villagers, there have been at least five unexplained deaths and some remain ill to this day” (2007).

Assumptions

• People against genetic engineering generally have the same basic assumption that genetic modification rarely works.

• According to Ho, “hence inserting a new genetic message into an organism will give it the desired character to serve our every need. If it were really as simple as that, genetic modification would work perfectly every time. Unfortunately things are vastly more complicated” (2013).

• While progress is still being made genetic engineering is still a relatively new science that has much to be learned.

The Controversy of How Far Will Scientists Take GE?

• One of the major controversies about genetic engineering is how far will scientists take it? Is there a line that shouldn’t be crossed? The following video gives a glimpse into both sides: https://youtu.be/2ixEDLa3Jlc (“Designer Babies?” 2015).

Cure or Curse?

• Utilizing genetic engineering we could free our society from disease.

• If opponents of genetic engineering could overcome their hesitations towards it scientists could flourish in this field and mankind could benefit from it.

• More funding from both government and private sector so more experimentation and research can be done.

Works Cited

• "Can Gene Therapy Cure Blindness?" YouTube. DNews, 18 Jan. 2014. Web. 07 Nov. 2015.

• "Designer Babies?" YouTube. YouTube, 3 Mar. 2009. Web. 05 Nov. 2015.

• Ho, Mae-Wan. "The New Genetics and Natural versus Artificial Genetic Modification.“ Entropy 15.11 (2013): 4748-781. Web. 3 Nov. 2015.

• Ho, Mae-Wan, Joe Cummins, and Peter Saunders. "GM Food Nightmare Unfolding in the Regulatory Sham." Microbial Ecology in Health & Disease 19 (2007): 66-77. Web. 2 Nov. 2015.

• Peltonen, Leena, and Victor A. McKusick. "GENOMICS AND MEDICINE: Dissecting Human Disease in the Postgenomic Era." Science 291.5507 (2001): 1224-229. Web. 4 Nov. 2015.

• Samiy, Nasrollah. "Gene Therapy For Retinal Diseases." J Ophthalmic Vis Res Journal of Ophthalmic and Vision Research 9.4 (2014): 506-09. Web. 3 Nov. 2015.